Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he and his family members were not involved in any “corrupt practices”.
Last month, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said Mahathir was among the individuals investigated in a corruption probe involving his sons, according to Reuters.
Mahathir's sons – Mirzan and Makhzani – were ordered in January to declare their assets as part of the investigation.
“During my time, there was corruption. But I personally was not involved in corrupt practices,” Mahathir told CNBC's “Squawk Box Asia” on Thursday.
“I made sure that even my family could not participate in government work because I might be accused of nepotism.”
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during a press conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia on September 3, 2020.
Zaheem Muhammad | Nour Photo | Getty Images
Mani, 98, a two-time prime minister, said he and his sons would “fully cooperate” with Malaysia's anti-corruption agency.
“So far, they have only asked my children to declare my assets. The investigation does not include asking me to declare my assets,” Mahathir said, adding that he was willing to declare my assets if the authorities asked him to because “there is nothing to hide.”
Mahathir's children reportedly said their father was the main target in the corruption investigation into whether he “abused his position as prime minister”.
Local media reported that former Malaysian Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin, an ally of Mahathir, was recently investigated over financial dealings.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged to eradicate corruption, but his critics accused him of targeting his former political opponents, accusations he denied.
The country lost 277 billion ringgit ($58.77 billion) due to corruption from 2018 to 2023, according to a recent government anti-corruption report. He also highlighted that the political ramifications of corruption are “undeniably serious.”
The report said that more than 80% of Malaysians expressed a “loss of trust and respect” for politicians and national leaders as a direct result of ongoing corruption issues.
The lack of serious leadership, the appointment of “questionable figures to key political positions” and the lack of political commitment to enforce anti-corruption measures or “punish those who engage in corrupt practices have undermined the confidence and effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts to date.” “She added.
